Vivian Bernard
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Vivian Bernard | |
|---|---|
 Bernard in 1917 | |
| Born | 30 August 1868 |
| Died | 18 February 1934 (aged 65) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1882–1922 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | HMS Argonaut HMS Revenge Gunnery School, HMNB Devonport HMS Argyll HMS Venerable HMS Neptune Portland Harbour Rear-Admiral Reserve Fleet, The Nore |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Order of the Crown of Italy (Italy) Legion of Honour (France) Order of the Sacred Treasure (Japan) |
| Alma mater | Stubbington House School |
| Children | Joan Bernard |
Admiral Vivian Henry Gerald Bernard CB (30 August 1868 – 18 February 1934) was a senior British Royal Navy officer.
Bernard was born 30 August 1868, Simon's Town, Cape of Good Hope, British Cape Colony,[1] to Inspector-General John Bernard of the Royal Navy. He was educated at Stubbington House School, boys' preparatory school.[2]
Military career
Bernard joined the Royal Navy on 15 July 1882 as a naval cadet. He became a midshipman on 15 January 1884.[1] He was promoted to sub-lieutenant on 25 February 1888,[1] and to lieutenant on 25 February 1889.[3] He qualified as a gunnery lieutenant in 1893, having attended training at HMS Excellent.[2] He was promoted to commander on 30 June 1901.[4] He then served in the Department of Naval Intelligence, Admiralty.[2] On 26 June 1906, he was promoted to captain,[5] and given command of HMS Topaze, a Topaze-class cruiser.[6] In August 1907, he took command of HMS Argonaut, a Diadem-class cruiser. A year later, in August 1908, took command of HMS Revenge,(later renamed HMS Redoutable), a Royal Sovereign-class battleship - [7] He commanded the Gunnery School at HMNB Devonport between 1910 and 1912.[2] He commanded the Devonshire-class cruiser HMS Argyll from May 1912 to June 1914.[7]
Bernard saw active service in World War I. In August 1914, he took command of HMS Venerable, a Formidable-class battleship.[7] He commanded HMS Venerable in operations off the Belgian coast between 1914 and 1915.[6] He and HMS Venerable then took part in the naval operations of the unsuccessful Dardanelles Campaign.[2] He then joined the operations of the Italian Adriatic Squadron, commanding HMS Venerable for the rest of 1915.[6] In February 1916, he took command of the dreadnought HMS Neptune.[7] He fought in the Battle of Jutland.[2] He received a number of decorations for his role as commander of one of the dreadnought battleships.[8][9]
He was promoted to rear-admiral on 26 September 1917.[10] He was relieved of his command of HMS Neptune in October 1917.[7] He became Captain of Portland Harbour in November 1917. From March 1920 to March 1921, he held the appointment Rear-Admiral Reserve Fleet, The Nore.[11]
On 15 November 1922, he was promoted to vice-admiral and placed on the retired list the following day.[12] On 1 August 1927, he was promoted to admiral.[13]
Later life
Having lived in Australia for two years,[14] Bernard died on 18 February 1934 in Rose Bay, New South Wales.[15] His funeral took place on 19 February at St Mark's Anglican Church in Darling Point, New South Wales. Following the service, he was cremated at the Rookwood Crematorium.[16]